EVMS Pulse

EVMS Medical Group and campus community join forces to fight hunger

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cans of food

The EVMS community recently rallied together for a campus-wide food drive in honor of the institution’s 50th anniversary. The effort resulted in a donation of 2,893 pounds of food, which equates to 2,411 meals for families served by the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.

In addition to faculty, students and staff leaving donations in marked boxes around campus, the EVMS Medical Group challenged each department to a Food Drive Battle to support the effort.

For many, giving back felt like the right thing to do as part of the 50th celebration. “I was attracted to EVMS as an employer of choice through their vision of wanting to be the most community-oriented school of medicine and health professions in the United States,” says Jason Azar, EVMS Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeons Administrator. “I am proud to have the opportunity to participate in community-oriented events such as the food drive, and I hope everyone will join me in giving back during this 50-year anniversary celebration and moving forward into the future.”  

The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore plays a vital role in addressing hunger in local communities. Through their programs, facilities and large network of community partners, they have provided more than 360 million meals over the past 40 years.

“I’m very proud and humbled by the EVMS Medical Group faculty and staff for supporting the food drive to address the food insecurity needs of our community,” says Po Chou, EVMS Medical Group Chief Executive Officer. “What a fantastic contribution by our EVMS Medical Group family.”

To determine a winner in the Medical Group Food Drive battle, the donations were weighed and divided by the number of people in each department. Dermatology took the top spot, followed by Medical Group Administration, Family & Community Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeons.

 

“Congratulations to EVMS Dermatology,” Chou says, “And thank you to all for your generosity and for taking care of our neighbors.”